CHICAGO—Preferred Hotel Group, which includes 350 hotels and resorts in more than 50 nations, recently recognized three of its members with its Preferred Pineapple Award for their exceptional efforts in the areas of environmental well-being. Through its recently launched program entitled “GIFTTS: Great Initiatives for Today’s (Tomorrow’s) Society”, the company initiated its Preferred Pineapple Award. The award was presented at the Preferred Hotel Group Annual Conference in Las Vegas last week. Additional members received Certificates of Excellence in recognition of their good works. “The purpose of GIFTTS is to provide a meaningful platform to showcase individual actions...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand announces the ELCU-100 Emergency Lighting Control Unit, bringing energy savings to emergency lighting. Emergency lighting typically burns 24/7, and with recent changes to state and local building codes in major metropolitan areas, specifiers are having to devote more watts per square foot to emergency lighting than ever before. This new product allows building owners and operators to leverage the energy saving benefits of control devices such as occupancy sensors and time scheduled systems by having these devices control emergency lighting in tandem with non-emergency lighting. They can also be assured of enhanced response from...

PHILADELPHIA—ARAMARK Harrison Lodging (AHL) has been recognized with two prestigious awards for environmental stewardship. The 2006 Environmental Achievement Award was received from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and a 2006 Governor’s Pride in Arizona Award from Arizona Clean and Beautiful was also awarded. AHL, a division of ARAMARK, is a provider of meeting and recreational support services to conference and corporate training centers, specialty hotels, national and state parks, resorts and other tourist destinations throughout the United States. “Protecting natural resources is a vital part of our company’s service and commitment to our guests, employees...

AMERICAN CANYON, CALIF.—The Gaia Napa Valley, a hotel incorporating environmentally friendly building design and technology, has opened here. The 133-room hotel, set on four acres, was designed to appeal to ecotourists. The hotel is pursuing gold LEED certification. The hotel will use solar power, water-saving techniques and certified wood, harvested with the long-term health of forests in mind. A mural by world-renowned artist Yuan Lee reflects on the spirit, beauty and resources of nature in the Napa Valley and surrounding areas. The hotel’s half-acre lagoon has its own ecosystem and is surrounded by a lush garden with...

POULTNEY, VT.—In a state where it’s often theorized there are more cows than people, Green Mountain College believes it may now be the nation’s first cow-powered campus. The liberal arts college, which offers various courses in hospitality management, has just announced its enrollment in Central Vermont Public Service’s (CVPS) Cow Power program. Through it, the utility delivers energy created from burning biogas created from cow manure on Vermont dairy farms. This initiative helps the college do its part to address global warming by reducing its carbon emissions by approximately 3,500 metric tons per year, or the equivalent of...

LANSING, MICH.—Robert W. Swanson, director of the Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), announced a new program aimed at environmental conservation and a more competitive lodging industry in Michigan. Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) encourages hotels, resorts, motels, and bed & breakfast facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving green practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste, and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing. “It’s like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval of being green,” Swanson said. “It is the mark of environmental responsibility of hoteliers who show a commitment to green business practices and can...

NATIONAL REPORT—When shopping for a walk-in cooler or freezer, it pays to be selective. A quick, uninformed purchase can result in unnecessary energy costs down the road. There are a lot of vendors out there. Before you come to a final buying decision, be sure to keep in mind all of the considerations that impact energy consumption. Insulation is one important factor. It is what provides resistance to heat flow. According to Scott Mallernee, product manager for Parsons, Tenn.-based Kolpak, polyurethane offers the best value. Four inches of polyurethane, he says, provides the same amount of insulation as...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Project Planet Corp. as a Green Product Directory partner. Project Planet is the lodging industry’s leading provider of promotional materials for linen and towel reuse programs. Project Planet’s colorful in-room materials have a significant impact on guest participation. The Dawsonville, Ga.-based company’s materials can be found in more than 5,000 hotels worldwide. Project Planet’s programs reduce energy, water, labor and chemical costs. The company sells a variety of products including pillow toppers, door hangers and more. Go to Project Planet Corp. for more information or...

CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE—Maine’s Governor John Baldacci introduced Webber Energy Fuels’ biofuel program at The Inn By The Sea this past weekend. This winter, The Inn By The Sea will be the first hotel in Maine to keep guests warm with Webber’s new fuel comprised of heating oil mixed with fats and vegetable oils.Choosing to heat with Webber’s biofuel made with domestic renewable natural products is part of The Inn By The Sea’s ongoing commitment to reduce heating oil consumption and to align business practices with consideration for the environment, according to the inn’s general manager, Tom Petot. South...

MALVERN, PA.—USA Technologies has introduced the EnergyMiser Conversion Program to help vending machine owners and operators nationwide convert their installed vending machines to meet Energy Star requirements. The EnergyMiser Conversion Program is a comprehensive turnkey package of services and technology provided by USA Technologies for bottlers to capitalize on the new Energy Star Refurbishment Program. The announcement comes days after the Environmental Protection Agency announced the Rebuilt Beverage Vending Machine Program under which older and existing machines will be able to qualify for Energy Star eligibility and carry the Energy Star label. “The EPA’s Rebuilt Beverage...